Editor’s note: This column originally appeared on http://slam.canoe.ca and was written by Matt Mackinder.
Three more quarterfinal matches in the Ring Of Honor world championship tournament are on the card for tonight’s show and even though we already know who won the tournament last Saturday night in Philadelphia, these three matches are worth watching as they truly showcase the talent level of ROH.
Kevin Kelly and “ROH talent scout” Prince Nana are ringside from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City and we get right to the action.
Match #1 – “The Sicilian Psychopath” Tomasso Ciampa vs. Michael Bennett
Maria Kanellis is barred from the building by ROH matchmaker Nigel McGuinness for her attempt to interfere in the Bennett-B.J. Whitmer match two weeks ago.
Ciampa is played to the ring by Last Remaining Pinnacle, who play his theme “They Are Lost” live. I’m telling you – one of the best entrance themes in ROH.
It’s all Ciampa early, but then Bennett takes it to the floor. In the ring, Ciampa nails Go To Sleep, but hurts his injured left knee in the process. Back on the floor, Ciampa hits the Kryptonite Krunch, rolls Bennett in the ring and gets the three-count.
Winner via pinfall: Tomasso Ciampa
Ciampa advances to face Adam Cole in the semi-finals.